Coder for marking randomly spaced containers



c. s. OCHS 3,394,651

CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS July 30, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1966 INVENTOR. C/mws 8. Ocws nwm flm/VEY c. s. OCHS 3,394,651

CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS July 30, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1966 INVENTOR. CHA L-ss S. 00116 c. s. OCHS 3,394,651

CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS July so, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 8, 1966 INVENTOR. Omeurs 6. 0016 BY nwzn e -2M Arr-a ua July 30, 1968 c. s. OCHS 3,394,651

CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS Filed March 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 T2. 3.4.. I 236 I [Nu/EH10? BY 04mm 8. OCl/S mWmMM July 30, 1968 c. s. OCHS 3,394,651

CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS Filed March 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 07999466 3 0% 72mm MM nne/vb? O LO \ 3,394,651 Patented July 30, 1968 ice 3,394,651 CODER FOR MARKING RANDOMLY SPACED CONTAINERS Charles S. Ochs, Lancaster, Ohio, assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 8, 1966,- Ser. No. 532,784 11 Claims. (Cl. 101-35) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Glass containers with sealing caps are moved underneath and engaged by an intermittently rotated marking wheel and a continuously rotated resilient disc of the same diameter as the marking wheel. The speed of the marking wheel is the same as the speed of the resilient disc with the resilient disc moving the sealed container at the same speed as the marking wheel to prevent smudging. The marking wheel is. intermittently rotated on presentation of a container for stamping. Brake means holds the marking wheel in the set position and a clutch means connects the marking wheel to a drive means on actuation by a proximity detector adjacent to the approach of a container to the marking wheel. A cammed switch maintains the rotation of the marking wheel until the marked container passes from underneath the marking Wheel.

Summary and background of the invention This invention relates to coding apparatus for marking of articles, such as glass containers having metal sealing caps, and is directed particularly to the marking of the top of the caps of containers presented to the coding apparatus with random distances between successively presented containers. It is also directed to coding apparatus that may be readily adapted to marking articles of different sizes and shapes.

The containers supplied to a coding apparatus for marking are usually presented at random unequalintervals. This presents difficulties in timing the position of the container in relation to the marking device so as to consistently apply unsmeared indicia in the proper place on the container. Heretofore a rotating member was provided on the coding apparatus which was synchronized with the marking device to properly position the container for marking. These present commercial coding machines are not readily adaptable to handling containers of different sizes and shapes, since the rotating timing member is related to the container configuration.

It is, therefore, desirous to provide a coding apparatus that can receive containers at random intervals and consistently apply an unsmeared indicia in the proper place at a high speed, and also can be readily and easily adapted to containers of different sizes and shapes. Thus the purpose of this invention is to adapt the operation of the. coding apparatus to the moving container with a minimum of correction of the movement of the container to the movement of the marking means.

An object of the invention is to provide a coding apparatus which repeatedly and automatically applies a clear unsmeared marking on the top of containers operation of the coding apparatus to the presentation of the containers for marking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coding apparatus in which the stamping mechanism responds promptly and accurately to the random presentation of a container for marking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a random coding apparatus that is simple in construction and provides a drive mechanism that is free from undue play.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention practiced. A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for the purpose of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification.

Brief description of drawings FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective View of the coding apparatus and a diagram of the electrical means;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the coding apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the coding apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the coding apparatus taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the gear mechanism taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a six lobe cam and the actuated switch taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view illustrating the marking of an article; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification providing a continuous inking.

Introductory description The base 10 supports the moving conveyor 11 and the coding apparatus 12. Articles such as containers 13 with caps 14 are carried by the conveyor past the coding apparatus in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) for marking of the caps by the coding apparatus. Rails 15 are provided along and above the conveyor for guiding the containers to and from the coding apparatus. A conventional drive mechanism (not shown) is mounted on the base to drive the conveyor at .a constant speed. An electric motor 16 mounted on base 10 drives the coding apparatus through the coupling means 17.

General description of coding apparatus As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the coding apparatus 12 has a main casing 18 supporting an outer hollow continuously rotating shaft 119 and an inner intermittently rotated shaft 21. The shaft 19 is connected to the electric motor 1 6 by a coupling means 17 and a gear mechanism 20. The gear mechanism 20 rotates the hollow shaft at a constant speed. The inner shaft 21 extends coaxially through the hollow shaft 19 and may be coupled to the shaft 19 through the clutch 22 for rotation at the same rotational speed as the shaft 19. The clutch 22 has a drive clutch plate 23 slideably mounted on the shaft 19 and a driven clutch member 24 fixedly mounted on the shaft 21. An electromagnetic coil 25 is fixedly at for precise synchronization of the movement of the container with the movement of the marking wheel 26, stabilizing the container to prevent smearing.

Braking means 29 (FIG. 4) has a fixed braking member 30 attached to the casing 18 and a braking shoe 31 slideably mounted on the shaft 21. An electromagnetic coil 32 is also fixedly attached to the casing 18 for drawing the slideable braking shoe into engagement with the fixed member for preventing rotation of the shaft 21 and holding the marking Wheel 26 in a given position. On the back end of the shaft 21 from the marking wheel 26 is a cam 33 (FIGS. 1 and 6) rotated in synchronism with the marking wheel 26. The cam 33 has lobes 34 and nodes 34a corresponding in number to the number of stamps 27 on the marking wheel 26. I

In the operation of the apparatus the conveyor 11 and the electric motor 16 are synchronized in speed so that the stamps 27 on the marking wheel 26 rotate at the same speed as the containers move under the stamp, so that there is no relative movement of the stamp in relation to the container. To further synchronize the linear speed of the container with the linear speed of the stamps 27, a resilient disc 28 (FIGS. 1 and 3) rotating at the same speed as the stamp engages the top of the jar to resiliently press thereagainst and move the jar at precisely the same speed as the stamp. This prevents any smearing of the markingl.

The rotation of the marking wheel and the movement of the container are synchronized by the electrical circuit 35 (FIG. 1). The circuit comprises a relay 36, direct current supply 43, a proximity detector 57 and switch 53. The direct current supply has a single phase rectifier 46 and capacitor 47 to provide direct current at terminals 48, 49. Alternating current is supplied to the input terminals 44, 45. The capacitor 50 connected between the input terminals protects the circuit from high voltages.

The winding 37 of the relay 36 is connected in series with the proximity detectors 57 and switch 53 across the direct current output terminals 48, 49 to pass a current energizing the relay. On opening of either the proximity detector 57 or the switch 53, the relay is deenerdized. In the energized condition the movable contact 38 bridges the fixed contacts 39, 40 to connect the coil 32 of the braking means 29 across the direct current supply and draw the slideable shoe against the fixed member to hold the shaft 21 in a fixed position. In the deenergized condition the movable contact 38 bridges the fixed contacts 41, 42 to connect the coil 25 of the clutch 22 to the direct current supply terminals 48, 49. The slideable plate 23 on the continuously rotating shaft 19 is drawn against the plate 24 on the shaft 21 to rotate the shaft 21 at the same speed as the shaft 19.

The energization of the relay 36 is controlled by the switch 53 and the proximity detector 57. The switch 53 has contacts 54 and 55 which are opened and closed by the lobes 34 and nodes 34a on the cam 33. The are B between the center of the lobes 34 and the center of the nodes 34a corresponds to the arc C between the stamps 27 on the marking wheel 26. The rotation of the cam 33 is timed with the rotation of the marking wheel 26 so that the center of the lobes 34 engages the shoe 56 on the switch 53 at the same time that the stamps 27 are at the midpoint of the marking operation, as illustrated in FIG. 1. With the shoe 56 at a node 34a, the marking wheel is held a distance -D (FIG. 7) from the midpoint of the stamping operation. This corresponds to half of the arc C of travel of the marking wheel 26. The lobes 34 separate the contacts 54 and 55 over a substantial arc of travel of the cam 33 so that the relay 36 is deenergized and the clutch 22 in the engaged position to rotate the marking wheel 26. The nodes 34a extend over a short are to energize the relay 36 and the braking means 29 to hold the marking wheel 26 in a given fixed position for the coding operation. The proximity 4 detector 57 is a conventional proximity limit switch with contacts 58 and 59 and sensing means 57a for detecting ferrous materials. When a cap on a container passes the sensing means 57a the contacts 58, 59 open. The sens' ing means 57a is positioned a distance D in advance of the midpoint of the are C of travel of the stamps 27. Distances D and D are the same effective length. On the passage of a container 13 the contacts 58 and 59 of the detector 57 open deenergizing the relay 36, which in turn releases the braking means 29 and energizes the clutch for rotation of the marking wheel 26. The detector 57 is maintained in the open position by the container until the lobes 34 open the contacts 54 and 55 maintaining the relay 36 in the deenergized position. The contacts 58 and 59 close after the cap passes. When the next node 34a is reached, contacts 54 and 55 close energizing the relay so that the clutch opens and the brake is applied to stop the marking wheel 26 with the next coding stamp in position.

Coding apparatus support Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, casing 18 has a socket 70 and a cylindrical bore 70a extending vertically therethrough. An inner hollow cylindrical shaft 71 fits in the socket 70 and is fixedly attached to the casing by a set screw 73. The shaft 71 slideably fits inside of an outer hollow cylindrical sleeve 74. The outer sleeve 74 slideably fits in a bracket 75 having an attached portion 76 and clamping portion 78. The attached portion is secured to the base 10 by means of bolts passing through the flange 77. The clamping portion 78 is fastened to the attached portion 76 by bolts 79 extending through the flange 80 on the clamping portion 78 and threading into the flange 81 on the attached portion 76. Thus the outer sleeve may be clamped securely in place. To align the sleeve and prevent rotation an outer longitudinally extending slot 82 is provided in the sleeve 74 and receives a key (not shown) held by pins 83 fitting in holes 84 in the attached portion 76. A two piece collar 86 is positioned around the sleeve 74 between the socket 70 and bracket 75 for holding a key 87 to align the shaft 71 and the sleeve 74. The shaft 71 and sleeve 74 are clamped together by the collar 86 to securely hold the coding apparatus at a given height.

A rod 90 is rotatably mounted in the bore 70a and extends coaxially through the hollow shaft 71 to thread in a disc 91 fixedly pinned to the lower end of the clamped outer sleeve 74. At the lower end of shaft 71 a collar 92 is fixedly mounted between the shaft 71 and the rod 90. This collar is engaged by a pinned nut 92a on the rod to raise and lower the coding apparatus on rotation of the rod by the knob 90a on the upper end of the rod 90 above the casing 18.

The rotation of the rod provides a fine adjustment of the height of the coding apparatus and permits a rapid change in height to accommodate differences in height of containers being coded. Thus the coding apparatus support provides means for adjusting the height of the coding wheel and holding the coding apparatus in place for marking containers on the conveyor while being held from movement out of alignment with the conveyor.

Electric motor drive The electric motor 16, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is an alternating current motor rotated at a constant speed in synchronism with the conveyor 11. The bracket 95 secures the motor to the base 10. The motor 16 is attached to the stub shaft on the coding apparatus by the coupling means 17. The coupling means comprises a rod 99 slideably fitting in the tubular sleeve 101 and a coupling member 97 connecting the rod to the stub shaft 100. The sleeve 101 is connected to the motor shaft and slideably keyed to the rod 99 so that there is no rotational play between the motor shaft and the stub shaft 100.

,The gear mechanism 20 (best illustrated in FIGS. 4

5. and comprises the stub shaft and helical gears 107 and 110. The stub shaft is rotatably mounted in ball bearings andv 106 supported by the casing 18. The helical gear 107 is mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith. The ball bearing 106 is held in the casing 18 by the plug member 108 secured to the casing by the bolts 109 to permit insertion and removal of the shaft and gear and to transmit downward axial forces to the casing. The helical gears 107 and 110 mesh in a firm tooth-to-tooth contact without play, and the gear 110 rotates the shaft 19 through the key 111. The transmitting forces between the teeth of the gears are transmitted to the shaft 100 through the bearing 106 to the plug member 108 so that the gear 107 is held in firm contact with the gear 110. Thus the electric motor is in a firm play-free driving relation with the shaft 19.

Inking mechanism The casing 18 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 and is provided with afront mounting plate for supporting the inking mechanism. The front plate is secured to the casing 18 by the bolts 121 threaded into the casing 18. Cylindrical portions 122 and 123 extend forwardly from the front plate 120 to rotatably support the shafts 124 and 125. The cylindrical portion 122 has a steel sleeve 126 fitting therein and held in place by the flange 127 and retaining ring 128. Bearings 129 and 130 are fitted in the sleeve and rotatably support the shaft 124 held axially in place by a shoulder 131 and a retaining ring 132. An O-ring seal 133 is provided between the cylindrical portion 122 and the sleeve 126 and a bearing seal 134 is provided on the outer end of the sleeve 126 to protect the bearings and prevent the loss of lubricating fluid.

The shaft 125 is rotatably mounted in the bearings 135 and 136 seated in the cylindrical portion 123. A bearing seal 137 is provided at the outer end. The shaft 125 is held against axial movement by the shoulder 138 and the retaining ring 139. On the outer end of the shaft 124 an ink wetting roller 140 is mounted to rotate with the shaft 124. The ink wetting roller is held on the shaft by a retaining nut 141. Underneath the ink wetting roller is a rectangular-shaped ink reservoir 142 overlapping with approximately the lower half of the roller 140'. The reservoir is idetachably mounted to the front plate 120 by the bolt 143 threaded into the boss 144 extending forwardly from the front plate and by the bolt 145 threading into a similar boss (not shown). The bolt 145 extends through a bore (not shown) in the wall of the reservoir 142. At the other end of the reservoir notches 148 and 149 are provided to permit the ready removal and attachment of the reservoir. To mount the reservoir on the front plate the notches 148, 149 are fitted on the bolt 143 and the reservoir pivoted up underneath the roller 140 and fastened in place by the bolt 145. A wiper 150 is mounted (FIG. 2) at an angle on the upper portion of the side of the reservoir and extends inwardly to remove excessive ink from the surface of the roller. The neoprene rubber roller 140 is provided with a uniform film of ink on the peripheral surface thereof and rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The steel inking wheel 151 is mounted on the shaft 125. to rotate therewith and has a nut 152 for holding the wheel on the shaft. The shaft 125 supporting the inking wheel is above the shaft 124 supporting the roller 140, so that the inking wheel engages the inking roller at a point about 30 degrees above the horizontal plane through the center of the shaft 124.

At the inner ends of shafts 124, 125 are gears 153 and 154 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The gear 154 meshes with the gear 155 mounted on the shaft 19 and keyed thereto by the key 111 of the helical gear 110. The shaft 19 has a rearwardly facing shoulder 156 against which the gear 155 is held by the washer 157, gear 110 and the retaining ring 158. Gear 154 meshes with the gear 155 and the gear 153; meshes with the gear 154. Since the shaft 19 is continuously rotating, the inking wheel 151.(FIG. 2) and the inking roller 140 are continuously rotating; The inking wheel 151 rotates in a clockwise direction so as to rotate in the same direction as the stamp 27 at the point of engagement of the stamp and wheel. As illustrated in the drawing, the wheel 151 overlaps the path of the resilient stamps 27 so that the stamps are firmly pressed against the inking wheel to receive ink therefrom. On each full rotation of the marking wheel each stamp is inked.

The marking mechanism and drive As previously described in connection with FIG. 4, the drive shaft 19 is hollow and has an axial bore 160 extending therethrough and the gears 110 and 155 keyed thereon for rotation with the shaft. The'shaft is continuously driven by the electric motor 16 through the gear 107. A cylindrical portion 161 extends forwardly from the front plate 120 to support the forward end of the shaft in the roller bearing 162 which is provided with a bearing seal 163 for protecting the bearing and retaining the lubricating fluid. The bearing is held in place by the retaining ring 164 holding the bearing against the shoulder 165 of the-cylindrical member 161. On the other side of the gear 110 the shaft 19 is rotatably supported in the ball bearing 166, which also is provided with a bearing seal 167 on the opposite side of the hearing from the lubricating chamber 168.

The shaft 21 extends through the bore 160 in coaxial relation with the shaft 19 and is rotatably supported in the ball bearings 170 and 171. The casing 18 has a rearward extension 18a for housing the clutch 22, brake 29 and the cam 33. A rear plate 172 is fitted on the end of the extension 18a for supporting the bearing 171. The bearing 170 at the front end of the shaft 21 is mounted in a cup-shaped portion 173 of the shaft 19 and held in place therein by the retainers 174 and 175.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the marking wheel 26 is mounted on the front end of the shaft 21. A sleeve slideably fits on the end of the shaft :and is interlocked therewith by the key 181. A threaded stub 182 with a knurled head 183 threads into the end of the shaft 21 to press against the sleeve 180 for holding the marking wheel 26 against the collar 184. The collar is held in position by the retaining ring 185. Thus the marking wheel is axially fixed on the shaft 21. The marking wheel 26 has members 186 and 187 radiallysupporting the stamp casings 188. The stamps 27 face radially outward for engaging the tops of the containers. The height of the marking wheel is set to lightly and firmly touch the container. If a container with a height greater than the setting is presented, the spring 189 is compressed. The marking wheel may be readily replaced by unscrewing the threaded member 182 and removing the sleeve 180 and wheel 26.

Adjacent to and rearwardly of the markingwheel 26 is the stabilizing wheel 28 made of resilient material, such as rubber. This wheel extends in a plane parallel to the marking wheel 26 and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 21. The outside diameter is slightly greater than that of the marking wheel 26. The stabilizing wheel 28 is mounted on a sleeve 193 and firmly secured thereto by a flat annular ring member 194 fastened to the sleeve 193 by the bolts 195 to hold the wheel 28 against the inner flange 196 on the sleeve 193. The sleeve 193 slideably fits on the outer surface of the cup-shaped member 173 of the shaft 19 and is fixedly secured thereto by the set screw 197. Thus the stabilizing wheel 28 continuously rotates with the shaft 19 and when not engaging the cap the peripheral speed of the wheel 28 is slightly greater than the speed of the conveyor. On engagement of the cap the stabilizing wheel is compressed so that the wheel is essentially of the same effective diameter as the engaging marking wheel 28.

As the containers move underneath the marking wheel, the stabilizing wheel 28 resiliently presses against the top to adjust for any slight differences in speed between that of the conveyor and the surfaces of the marking wheel and stabilizing wheel. This insures that the container will be moved at the same speed as the stamps 27 and thus avoid any possible smearing of the mark applied to the top. Clutch and braking means At the back end of the shafts 19 and 21 the clutch 22 and the braking means 29 are provided for driving the shaft 21 and for holding it in a given position (FIG. 4). The drive clutch plate 23 is slideably mounted on and circumferentially interlocked with the hub 200 fixedly mounted on the continuously rotating shaft 19 and locked thereto by the key .201. The driven member 24 is mounted on the shaft 21 and rotatably and axially locked therewith. The driven member 24 has an outer ferromagnetic ring portion 202 and an inner ferromagnetic ring portion 202a providing a flux path from the casing 204 of the coil 25 through the annular shoe 23a on the drive clutch plate. The casing 204 of the electromagnetic coil 25 is mounted on a partition 205 secured to the inwardly extending flange of the casing extension 18a. The leads from the coil extend through thefitting 206 (FIG. 3) in the extension 18a for connection to the electrical circuit. When current is supplied to the coil 25, the slideable drive clutch plate 23 is drawn against the nonmagnetic friction ring 203 of the driven member 24. The shaft 21 then rotates with the shaft 19 at the same speed. The ferromagnetic casing 207 of the coil 32 is securely mounted on the other side of the partition 205 from the coil 25. The leads extend through the fitting 206 in the extension 18a.

The fixed braking member 30 is attached to the casing 207 of the coil 32 so as not to rotate and has an outer ferromagnetic ring portion 30a and an inner ferromagnetic ring portion 30b. The braking shoe 31 bridges these ring portions to complete the flux path. The shaft 21 has a hub 208 keyed thereto. The braking shoe 31 is slideably mounted on and rotationally interlocked with the hub 208. On energization of the coil 32, the shoe is drawn against the fixed nonmagnetic braking ring 209.

Container gfiuides The container guides 210 and 211 (FIG. 4) are mounted on the front plate 120. A boss 212 extends normal to the plate 120 and has a bore 213 for receiving a cylindrical arm 214. A pin 215 extends through the recessed end of the arm and the boss 212 to prevent rotation of the arm or axial displacement. The guides 210 and 211 comprise fiat members 216 and 217 having a rectangular cross section with the forward or container receiving ends tapered at 218 and 219.

The guide 210 is slidably fastened to the arm 214 by a clamp 222 locked in place by the set screw 224 squeezing the ends of the clamp together in a conventional manner. The guide 211 has an offset portion 225 to which the clamp 226 is fastened and locked to the arm 214 by the set screw 228. The clamps are provided with threaded bores 229 and 230, respectively, extending parallel to the arm 214. A shaft 231 having opposite threads 232 and 233 extends through the bores 229 and 230, respectively. At the outer end of the arm 214 a clamp 235 is secured by the set screw 236. The unthreaded portion of the shaft 231 extends through the bore 237 which is separated by a slot 238 to receive the collar 239. The collar 239 is fastened to the shaft to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft 231. A knob 241 is securely fastened to the projecting end of the shaft 231 for rotation of the shaft for adjustment of the spacing between the guides 210 and 211. The centering of the guides in relation to the marking wheel 26 and the stabilizing wheel 28 is accomplished by sliding the guides 210, 211 and the clamp 235 along the arm 214.

The guide member 210 has a guide block 223 (FIG. 3) extending vertically downward from the undersurface thereof to extend toward the conveyor below the marking-wheel 26. On the guide 211 the casing of the proximity detector 57 forms a complementary guide block extending downwardly beyond the marking wheel for guiding the containers.

In FIG. 2 the guide 210 is broken away to illustrate mounting of the proximity detector 57 on the guide 211. The sensing area 57a of the proximity detector is positioned by loosening the set screws 57b and moving the detector backward or forward to initiate the movement of the stamps in accordance with the number of stamps on the marking wheel or to vary the location of the code on the cap.

Electrical apparatus The electrical apparatus is approximately located in the coding apparatus and forms a control means for operating the marking wheel 26. The coils 25 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 4) are located in the clutch 22 and brake 29, respectively. The detector 57 is mounted on the guide 211 and the switch 53 is mounted on the back plate 172. The relay 36 and the direct current supply 43 are mounted in a box which is located on a structure free of vibration.

A protective conduit 241 is provided for the leads 242, 243, 244, 245 and 246 connecting the coils 25 and 32 and the proximity detector 57 and switch 53 to the relay 36 and the direct current power supply. The protective conduit 247 carries the leads 245 and 248 from the proximity detector to the fitting 249 on the extension 18a.

Referring to FIG. 6, the switch 53 is of the conventional make and break type. The fixed contact 55 is adjustably mounted on the base plate 250. The movable contact 54 is mounted on the arm 255 to pivot about the pin 256. The insulating shoe 56 is mounted on the arm 255 engaging the cam 33. As illustrated, the lobes 34 extend over a substantial arc to separate the contacts 54 and 55. The cam 33 with lobes 34 form with switch 53 circuit altering means for energizing or deenergizing the relay 36.

Continuous inking modification The electrical circuit and apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 rotates the marking wheel 26 only when a container is presented to the coding apparatus. In FIG. 8 an electric circuit and apparatus is illustrated which may replace the electric circuit of FIG. 1 to provide a repeated rotation of the marking wheel 26 when a container is not presented to the coding apparatus. If a fast drying ink is desired, a continuous inking of the stamps 27 is necessary to maintrain the stamps 27 moist.

The cam 33 and switch 53, and the braking means 29 and clutch 22 remain the same, as well as the coding apparatus. The proximity detector 57 also remains the same. However, it is connected in a slightly different man-' ner. A second proximity detector 260 is provided which is similar to the detector '57 except that it is mounted on the side of the boss 144 (FIG. 4) to sense the containers as they initially approach the coding apparatus to prepare the electric circuit for the sensing of a container by the detector 57. The direct current power supply 43 is the same. The relay 261 corresponds to the relay 36 for controlling the energization of the braking means 29 and clutch 22. The relay 261 comprises a winding 262, movable contact 263, fixed contacts 264 and 265 and fixed contacts 266 and 267. The contact 265 is connected to the clutch 22 and the contact 267 is connected to the braking means 29. The contacts 264 and 266 are connected to the direct current terminal 49 for supplying current thereto. When the movable contact 263 bridges the contacts 264 and 265, current is supplied to the clutch for energization thereof and engagement of the clutch plates. When movable contact 263 engages contacts 266 and 267, the braking means is energized. The circuits through the coils of the braking means and clutch are completed to ground through the lead 268. The energization of the winding' 262 moves the contact 263 in the down position to bridge the contacts 266 and 267 to energize the braking means preventing the rotation of the marking'wheel 26. On deenergization the movable contact 263 engages the contacts 264, 265 to energize the clutch to rotate the marking wheel 26. The winding 262 is connected in series with fixed contact 279, movable contact 278, proximity detector 57 and cam switch 53. When these are in the closed position, winding 262 is energized and the braking means 29 is engaged. When any one of these is open the winding 262 is deenergized and the clutch 22 is engaged.

The relay 270 has a winding 271 connected in series with the detector 260 and the switch 53 across the input terminals 48 and 49 so that the detector 260' and switch 53 control the energization of the relay. The movable contact 272 is connected to the terminal 49. On deenergization of the relay 270 contact 272 engages the contacts 273. On energization, the contact 272 is separated from contact 273. The relay 275 has a winding 276 connected across the direct current power supply when the contacts 272 and 273 are closed to energize the relay. A condenser 277 is connected in parallel with the winding 276 to receive a charge when the contacts 272 and 273 are closed. On opening of these contacts the condenser 277 discharges through the winding 276 to maintain the energization of the relay 275 for a given period of time. The relay 275 has a movable contact 278 for engaging the fixed contacts 279 on energization and opening on deenergization of the relay 275. As previously pointed out the closing of the contacts 279, 278 connects the winding 262 in series with the proximity detector 57 and switch 53 for energization of the relay 261.

Considering the operation of the circuit starting with the conclusion of the rotation of the marking wheel by the clutch 22, the cam 33 closes the switch 53 which causes the energiz-ation of the relays 261 and 270. The contacts of the proximity detector 260 are closed, thus completing the circuit to the winding 271 to open contacts 272 and 273. The contacts 58, 59 of the proximity detector 57 are closed and the movable contact 278 and fixed contact 279 are maintained closed by the discharge current from the condenser 277. The brake is thus applied and the marking wheel 26 held in position. However, on the completion of the discharge of the condenser 277, the relay 275 becomes deenergized and the contacts 278 and 279 open. This deenergizes the relay 261 and the movable contact 263 engages the fixed contacts 264, 265 deenergizing the brake and energizing the clutch. If there are no containers present at or approaching the coding apparatus, the marking wheel 26 is moved through the arc C. Thus the stamps are being continuously inked when no containers are at the coding apparatus.

When a container is approaching the coding apparatus, the contacts of the proximity detector 260 open. At this time the switch '53 could be opened or closed depending upon the cycling operation. The inking operation may be terminating or starting. If the inking operation has just terminated, the cam switch 53 will be closed and the braking means will be engaged, since the condenser 277 is discharging to maintain the energization of the relays 275 and-261. If the proximity detector 260 is open due to the presence of an approaching container, the relay 270 will be deenergized closing contacts 272, 273 and the relay 275 will then be energized by the current from the D.C.'source. This recharges the condenser 277 so that when the proximity detector 260 closes after the passage of the container and before the opening of the proximity detector 57 the relay 275 will be energized by the current from the fully charged condenser 277. This will maintain the brak ing means in operation until the presence of the container by the proximity detector 57 is sensed to open contacts 58 and 59 deenergizing relay 261 so that the marking wheel 26 is rotated for stamping the container.

If the inking operation is being performed when the approaching container opens the proximity detector 260', the opening of this switch has no effect on the circuit since the cam switch 53 in series therewith is open. However,

due to the rapid movement of the marking wheel the inking operation is completed before the container reaches the proximity detector 57. The braking means will be engaged and the'apparatus will be set into operation by the presence of the container at the proximity detector 57. Thus the repetitive inking operation does not interfere with the marking operation when a container is presented to the coding apparatus. Therefore, the stamps can be supplied with a quick drying ink that is moist when the stamp is applied'to the container.

Other modifications In the foregoing embodiment an electric motor 16 drives the coding apparatus. However, the coding apparatus is preferably driven from the drive of the conveyor 11. This may be accomplished by conventional gear couplings connected to the stub shaft (FIG. 5). The gear mechanism may be replaced by a sprocket on the shaft 19 and a chain drive provided coupled to the conveyor drive. The detectors 57 and 260 are described as sensing steel caps. It is, of course, understood, that these detectors may be modified to sense non-ferrous materials.

Performance and advantages The coding apparatus is compact and readily adaptable to various types of containers having widely different sizes. The outer hollow continuously rotating shaft and the inner coaxial shaft provide for a compact and playfree drive. A single meshing of gears is provided between the electric motor and the outer shaft 19. This is positioned centrally to the two shafts with the outer shaft having a clutch plate mounted at the rear end for transmitting drive force to the inner shaft when engaged and a continuously rotating speed equalizer 28 at the other end. This permits the location of the bearings 166 and 162 on opposite sides of the gear and between the clutch plate 23 and the disc 28. The inner shaft 21 has the marking wheel 26 mounted on the front end and the cam 33 on the back end of the shaft 21. These are the two members which may have to be changed to acco'mmodate different size containers.

In the foregoing description a marking wheel with six stamps has been shown and described. The cam 33 has six lobes and nodes. A marking wheel having six stamps is used on containers having a diameter of three inches or less. For containers having diameters greater than three inches, a marking wheel with four stamps is used. The marking wheel can be readily changed by unthreading the threaded stub 182 and removing the sleeve 180 and the marking wheel 26. The replacement marking wheel can then be mounted on the shaft 21. correspondingly the cam 33 may be "changed by removing the cover 280 and the bolt 281. Thus both of these members are readily accessible for replacement when desired.

The relationship of the shafts permits the location of the braking means and clutch at the rear of the coding apparatus so that the front is clear to support the inking system and the marking wheel and speed equalizing disc. Further, the mounting of the braking means and clutch on the shaft 21 provides for a quick response of the shaft 21 to the presentation of the container at the coding apparatus and the completion of the stamping of a container. The clutch and braking means are directly connected to the driving shaft and to the marking wheel cam. The shaft 21 is mounted in the bearing 171 at the rear end and is mounted in the bearing 170 at the front end so that the marking wheel and equalizing disc will be precisely located in respect to one another without eccentricity.

.Usually the container will be marked at the center thereof. The guides 210 and 211 may he slid along the arm 214 to center the guides in relation to the marking wheel 26 by loosening the set screws 224 and 228. The

threaded shaft 231 by means of the knob 241. A maximum 11 clearance of of an inch between the guides and the sides of the cap is preferred.

The rails \also are adjusted in accordance with the diameter of the container. The rails and guides are positioned so that the cap rides along the side of the proximity detector 57. The proximity detector 57 is adjusted longitudinally along the guide 211 to position the sensing means 57a so that the stamp on the marking wheel will be in proper position in relation to the top of the container. The side rails should clear the container by about V to A3 of an inch.

The coding apparatus is readily adjusted to containers having different heights. A general adjustment of the height is attained by varying the position of the outer sleeve 74 in the bracket 75 and a fine adjustment is attained by the rotation of the knob 90a and the rod 90. The resiliency of the stamps and the springs 189 adjusts to minor variations in the height of the containers.

The continuous driving of the shaft 19 by the motor 16 maintains the driving system in a tight torque relation so that on energization of the clutch 22 the shaft 21 instantly rotates. Thus a precise timing is maintained with the movement of the containers. As previously pointed out, the speed of rotation of the marking wheel 26 and disc 28 has been synchronized by adjusting the speed of the electric motor 16. Slight diflerences between these speeds is compensated for by the resilient disc 28 which engages the container prior to the stamp and after the stamp disengages to thereby precisely adjust the speed of the container to that of the stamp throughout the marking of the container.

The containers may be presented to the coding apparatus with difierent intervals of spacing, and the coding apparatus responds immediately to the presence of the container by releasing the brake and simultaneously engaging the clutch to rotate the shaft 21 and the marking wheel 26. This is accomplished without any heavy loads being applied to the driving mechanism, and thus the desired speed of the marking wheel is promptly attained in synchronism with the movement of the container.

The stabilizing disc separately connected to the drive means rotates at the same speed as the marking wheel and definitely relates the speed of the container to the speed of the marking wheel so as to avoid smearing of the code. Thus the coder is immediately responsive to the presentation of the containers and can code them at a high rate of speed irrespective of the spacing between the containers. Further, the coding apparatus is readily adaptable to containers of different sizes, heights and configurations. The adjustments to the coding apparatus and the replacement of any parts can be quickly and easily made.

In the accompanying drawings FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the mechanism in proportion to the actual design of the coding apparatus.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for precisely and automatically marking at a high speed moving articles independent of the presentation interval between the articles comprising conveying means for presenting moving articles for marking, a marking member actuatable in the direction of movement of the articles for engaging and marking presented articles, stabilizing means adjacent to said marking member and actuatable in the direction of movement of the articles for engaging presented articles at the same time as said marking member to move articles at the same speed as said marking member, drive means directly connected to said stabilizing means for moving said stabilizing means at approximately the same speed as said conveying means, connective means having clutchlike means for coupling said marking member to said drive means for promptly moving said marking member in speed synchronism with said stabilizing means and having brakelike means for holding said marking member at a given setting on disengagement of said clutchlike means, electric means connected to said connective means for actuating said clutchlikemeans and brakelike means and including sensing means spaced a given distance ahead of the engagement of said marking member with 0. presented article for detecting articles presented for marking nd including circuit altering means coupled to said marking member for responding to the position of said marking member for either holdng said marking-member by said brakelike means at the given setting or for maintaining through said clutchlike means the movement of said marking member at the same speed as said stabilizing means during engagement at the same time of said marking member and stabilizing means with the present article irrespective of the intervals of presentation of the articles.

2. Apparatus for precisely and automatically marking at a high speed moving articles independent of the presentation interval between the articles comprising conveying means for presenting moving an'tcles for marking, a marking member actuatable in the direction of movement of the articles for marking the articles, stabilizing means adjacent to said marking member and actuatable in the direction of movement of the articles for engaging presented articles at the same time as said marking member to move articles at the same speed as said'marking member, drive means directly connected to said stabilizing means for moving said stabilizing means at approximately the same speed as said conveying means, rotatable power transmitting means connected to said marking member and having clutch means for connecting said power transmitting means to said drive means on engagement of said clutch means and having braking means for preventing rotation of said power transmitting means on disengagement of said clutch means for precise and rapid control of the movement and position of said marking member, electrical means connected to said clutch means and said braking means for alternate actuation of said clutch and braking means depending on the energization of said electrical means, proximity detection means spaced a given distance ahead of the engagement of the marking member and an article for detecting articles to be presented for marking, circuit altering means directly connected to said marking member for responding to the position of said marking member, said proximity detection means and said circuit altering means connected to said electrical means either for energizing said braking means on completion of the marking operation to hold the marking member in a given relation to the proximity detection means or for maintaining the movement of said marking member in speed synchronization with said stabilizing means to clearly and precisely stamp the presented article irrespective of the intervals of presentation of the articles.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stabilizing means having a resilient edge engages a presented article prior to, during and subsequent to engage ment by said marking member to precisely synchronize the movement of the presented article to the movement of the marking member.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said marking member has a plurality of stamps uniformly spaced and said circuit altering means comprises a cam having lobes corresponding in spacing and number to said stamps and a switch actuated by said lobes connected to said electrical means for changing the energiza-' tion of said clutch means and said braking means for holding said stamps in a given relation to said proximity detection means and moving said stamps through a given distance for marking articles on presentation.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said proximity detection means has contacts for altering said electrical means to deenergize said braking means and energize said clutch means for initiating the movement of said marking member and said cam, said lobes of said cam opening said cam switch to maintain the movement of said marking member and closing said cam switch to deenergize said clutch means and energize said braking means when said marking member is in a given relation to said proximity detection means.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein circuit means are provided connected to said electrical means and has repetitive means for periodically energizing said electrical means to actuate said clutch means and has means including a second proximity detection means for detecting an approaching article to maintain said electrical means responsive to said first proximity detection means during the approaching of an article to be presented.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said marking member is at one end of said power transmitting means and said clutch and braking means are at the other end and said directly connected drive means and stabilizing means are positioned intermediate of said marking member and said clutch and braking means.

8. Apparatus for automatically marking continuously moving articles independent of the presentation interval between articles comprising a stationary supporting casign, a conveyor for moving articles past a stamping station and having rails for successively presenting the articles in line at a stamping station, a hollow drive shaft rotatably mounted in said casing for continuous rotation in synchronism with said conveyor and having a bore extending axially therethrough, a driven shaft extending axially through said bore and in coaxial relation with said drive shaft and rotatably supported in said casing at one end and in said drive shaft at the other end, a marking wheel mounted on the end of said driven shaft rotatably supported in said drive shaft and having a plurality of outwardly facing uniformly spaced stamps for successively engaging articles carried by said conveyor, coupling means and braking means at the other end of said driven shaft for either connecting said driven shaft and said marking wheel to said drive shaft or holding said driven shaft and said marking wheel in a given position depending upon the respective euergizations of said coupling means and said braking means, a resilient synchronizing wheel mounted on said drive shaft adjacent to said marking wheel to rotate continuously with said drive shaft and having a diameter slightly greater than said marking wheel to engage and move a presented article at the same speed as the moving marking wheel when coupled to said drive shaft, electrical means having relay means connected to said coupling means and said braking means for energization of either one of said means, a proximity detection means spaced a given distance ahead of the engagement of the stamp and a presented article for detecting articles presented for marking and having normally closed contacts opening on detection of an article, a cam mounted on the opposite end of said driven shaft from said marking wheel and having lobes corresponding in number and spacing to the stamps on said marking wheel and rotating therewith, a switch having make and break contacts engaging said lobes for opening said switch and closing said switch in between said lobes, said contacts of said proximity detection means and said switch connected in series with said relay means to energize said clutch means on opening of either of said contacts and energizing said braking means when said contacts are closed to hold a given stamp in a given relation to said proximity detection means and rotate said stamp through a given distance at the same rotational speed as said synchronizing wheel on presentation of an article at said proximity detection means to stamp the presented article irrespective of the intervals of presentation of the articles.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein second and'third relay means and a second proximity detection mean-s are provided, said second relay means having contacts in series with said contacts of said first proximity detection means and said cam and having a capacitor in parallel with said second relay means for maintaining energization of said second relay means for a brief period on removal of energizing currents to maintain said braking means energized for the brief period and permitting the energization of said clutch means for rotation of the marking wheel at the end of the brief period, said third relay means connected in series with said second proximity detection means for deenergization on approach of an article to the apparatus, said third relay means having-contacts connected in series with said capacitor and said second relay means in parallel for maintaining the energization of said second relay means independent of said capacitor and thereby rendering the condition of said first relay means dependent upon the first proximity detection means and said cam.

10. Apparatus for automatically marking continuously moving articles independent of the presentation interval between articles comprising a stationary supporting casing, a conveyor for moving articles past a stamping station and having rails for successively presenting the articles in line at a stamping station, a drive means rotatably mounted in said casing for continuous rotation in synchronism with said conveyor, a driven shaft, a marking wheel mounted on the end of said driven shaft and having a plurality of outwardly facing uniformly spaced stamps for successively engaging articles carried by said conveyor, coupling means and braking means at the other end of said driven shaft having energizable and deenergiza'ble means for either connecting said driven shaft and said marking wheel to said drive means or holding said driven shaft and said marking wheel in a given position depending upon the respective energizations of said coupling means and said braking means, electrical means having relay means connected to said energizable and deenergiz-able means of said coupling means and said braking means for actuation of either One of said means, a proximity detection means spaced a given distance ahead of the stamping station and a presented article for detecting articles presented for marking and having normally closed contacts opening on detection of an article, a cam mounted on the opposite end of said driven shaft from said marking wheel and having lobes corresponding in number and spacing to the stamps on said marking wheel and rotating therewith, a switch having make and break contacts engaging said lobes for opening said switch and closing said switch in between said lobes, said contacts of said proximity detection means and said switch connected in series with said relay means to energize said clutch means on opening of either of said contacts and energizing said braking means when said contacts are closed to hold a given stamp in a given relation to said proximity detect-ion means and rotate said stamp through a given distance on presentation of an article at said proximity detection means to stamp the presented article irrespective of the intervals of presentation of the articles.

11. Apparatus for automatically marking continuously moving articles with peripheral edges and independent of the presentation interval between articles comprising a movable conveyor for carrying articles to be marked, drive means for continuous rotation in synchronism with said conveyor on movement thereof, a resilient wheel mounted on said continuously rotating drive means and continuously rotating therewith to dynamically engage a presented article, means stationary in relation to said drive means, a driven shaft having clutchlike means for coupling said drive means to said driven shaft to rotate said driven shaft and brake'like means for coupling said driven shaft with said stationary means for holding said driven shaft when decoupled from said drive means, con- 15 trol means including sensing means spaced a given distance ahead of the engagement of said resilient wheel and res onsive to a presented article on said conveyor, said control means connected to said clutchlike and brakelike coupling means for actuating said coupling means on presentation of an article, a marking wheel mounted on said driven shaft parallel and adjacent to said resilient wheel for rotation with said driven shaft and having peripheral markers for applying indicia to the surface of 21 presented article adjacent to the engagement of said resilient wheel, and said driven shaft moving said markers at the same speed as said relisient wheel on decoupling of said brakelike means and coupling of said clutchlike means, said driven shaft having means connected to said control means for actuating said clutchlike and brake- 15 15 like means to stop said markers at a given position so that the peripheral edge of the article leads the indicia applying marker and engages said resilient wheel prior to the application of indicia by said marker to conform the speed of the article to the speed of said resilient wheel and said marker.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner. 

